In Memoriam · Founder
Michael Ryan Burke
October 27, 1983 — January 18, 2026
Staff Sergeant, USMC · Force Reconnaissance · Knight Templar, Grand Prior · Founder, Holy Smokes Ministry
He gathered the quorum. He lit the first smoke. He sharpened iron.
"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." — John 15:13
A Life Fully Given
Michael Ryan Burke was born on October 27, 1983, in Columbia, Missouri — and he gave everything he had to that community and to the world beyond it. A graduate of Hickman High School and the University of Missouri, where he earned degrees in psychology and sociology, Michael understood from the beginning that faith required action, compassion, and presence.
He founded Holy Smokes Ministry at the United States Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq — a men's Bible study built on fellowship, camaraderie, and the sharing of the Word with those seeking encouragement in one of the world's most demanding environments. What he started in a war zone has grown to Florida, the Carolinas, Kansas City, and Columbia, Missouri — and it is still growing strong.
He was a Force Reconnaissance Marine, a church planter in a war zone, a firefighter, a healer, a Knight Templar, a defender of the vulnerable, and the founding spirit of Holy Smokes Ministry. He was 42 years old. He packed several lifetimes into every one of those years.
His Life in Pictures
Michael Ryan Burke
Photos courtesy of the Burke family and Holy Smokes Ministry.
Baghdad, Iraq — where it all began
To add photos of Michael, share them with Holy Smokes Ministry.
His Journey
From Columbia to the World
Born in Columbia, Missouri
Born October 27, 1983, to Michael Rex Burke and Erlinda Burke. A lifelong member of the Columbia community.
Hickman High School
Graduated from Hickman High School in Columbia, Missouri.
University of Missouri
Earned bachelor's degrees in psychology and sociology — fields that reflected his deep interest in understanding, serving, and protecting others.
Force Reconnaissance Marine
Served as a Force Reconnaissance Marine, rising to the rank of Staff Sergeant. Deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit. Semper Fidelis.
Holy Smokes Founded at the US Embassy
Michael founded Holy Smokes Ministry at the United States Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq — bringing fellowship, encouragement, and the Word of God to those serving alongside him. The original quorum.
Oasis Church — Founded in a War Zone
While stationed in Baghdad, Michael also founded Oasis Church — a place of worship, refuge, and community that grew to more than 100 attendees at Easter and Christmas services. He kept its doors open during periods of heightened security threats and through COVID lockdowns, believing that people needed a place to pray precisely when the world told them to stay home.
Diplomatic Security & Medical Support
Served in Baghdad from 2014 to 2021, supporting U.S. diplomatic security operations and serving as a nationally registered advanced emergency medical technician, providing lifesaving care in some of the world's most demanding environments.
Baptized Seven in the Jordan River
His calling carried him to the Jordan River, where he baptized seven individuals. He preached and taught in Uganda, the Philippines, Kenya, London, and throughout the United States.
A Calling Without Borders
Michael funded schools and churches in Africa and Asia, including support for fourteen churches in the Philippines. He fought human trafficking locally and internationally. Wherever he went, he believed faith required action, compassion, and presence.
Columbia Firefighter
Served his hometown as a firefighter with the City of Columbia — bringing the same courage and commitment home that he had carried around the world.
Holy Smokes Spreads Across America
The ministry Michael founded in Baghdad took root across the United States — Florida, the Carolinas, Kansas City, and Columbia, Missouri. Still growing strong.
Knight Templar · Grand Prior-Elect
Joined the Knights Templar in 2021 and rose to the position of Grand Prior of the St. Louis The Crusader Priory — a role he was scheduled to formally assume in March 2026. A sworn defender of the faith in every sense of that phrase.
January 18, 2026
Michael Ryan Burke passed away on Sunday, January 18, 2026, in Columbia, Missouri. He was 42 years old. His chair at the table is empty. His covenant endures.
His Distinctions
Warrior. Shepherd. Defender.
Force Reconnaissance Marine
Staff Sergeant · 13th MEU · Operation Iraqi Freedom
Semper Fidelis — Always Faithful. Michael served his country in one of the Marine Corps' most elite units, deploying to Iraq and carrying his faith into every theater of service.
Knight Templar · Grand Prior
St. Louis The Crusader Priory
A sworn defender of the faith. Michael joined the Knights Templar in 2021 and rose to Grand Prior-elect — carrying the ancient tradition of courage, piety, and the protection of the sacred into the modern world.
Founded Holy Smokes at the US Embassy
Baghdad, Iraq · The Original Quorum
He founded Holy Smokes Ministry at the United States Embassy in Baghdad — a method of fellowship, camaraderie, and sharing the Word with those seeking encouragement. That ministry now spans Florida, the Carolinas, Kansas City, and Columbia, Missouri.
Church Planter in Baghdad
Founder, Oasis Church
While serving in Baghdad, Michael founded Oasis Church — a congregation that grew to over 100 attendees at Easter and Christmas, kept open through security threats and COVID lockdowns.
Columbia Firefighter & Advanced EMT
City of Columbia Fire Department
He brought the same courage home — serving as a firefighter and nationally registered advanced emergency medical technician, protecting the community that raised him.
Global Missionary & Defender
Uganda · Philippines · Kenya · Jordan River
He baptized seven in the Jordan River, funded fourteen churches in the Philippines, fought human trafficking, and carried the Gospel to Uganda, Kenya, London, and beyond.
"For those who walked beside us. For those who would be here if they could. For those whose chairs are now empty. They are absent from our table, but never from our covenant.
"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." — John 15:13
Light one in his honor.
Semper Fidelis